Roeder: I was shocked by the abuse Hammers Ham fans shouted at me

14 April 2012

Newcastle boss Glenn Roeder has revealed his shock at the abuse he suffered at former club West Ham at the weekend.

Roeder, who had brain surgery in 2003 after collapsing, was called "Tumour Boy" by fans and was also asked: "Why didn't you die three years ago?".

The Magpies boss, who was manager at Upton Park when they were relegated in the same year as his illness, said: "One of the saddest things about Sunday was that when I looked at the faces of some of the people who were shouting at me, they were men of my age.

"Men in their 40s and 50s, men screaming about brain tumours and death, men who, God forbid, might find themselves in the same position as me one day.

"At least I was there to hear them yelling what they were yelling. I'm much happier that I'm alive to hear it and not lying beneath the ground somewhere.

"I was lying on a table for five hours when I had my brain operation and I recovered from my illness and I have moved on."

Life-saving operation for Given

Shay Given had emergency surgery on Sunday night after doctors feared the stomach injury he suffered in Newcastle's victory at West Ham could have been life-threatening.

Medical sources said the goalkeeper's injury, a perforated bowel, had never been seen on a footballer and was usually associated only with car crash victims.

Sportsmail understands Given had a second operation because of further complications resulting from his collision with Marlon Harewood. The West Ham striker clattered into Given late in the game in a 50-50 challenge and the goalkeeper was carried into the medical suite at Upton Park and given oxygen to ease his In agony: Given after his extreme collision with Harewood discomfort.

The 30-year-old Republic of Ireland international was then taken to hospital with Newcastle's club doctor, Roddy McDonald, and had the emergency operation on his lower abdomen as his condition worsened.

Without the surgery, there were fears that Given's health could have seriously deteriorated.

He woke in the intensive care unit at King George's Hospital in east London and the decision was taken to perform the second operation.

McDonald said: "In the dressing room after the game, Shay developed acute abdominal pain and it became clear he might have a surgical problem.

"As a result, he was admitted to a local hospital for investigation. Following those investigations, he was found to have a small perforation of his small bowel. He underwent surgery to repair this and that was successful.

"He is comfortable in hospital and he will be discharged in around five days." Newcastle manager Roeder said: "It is too early to say definitely how long he will be sidelined.

"He was part of a tremendous team display at West Ham and this is the price we have had to pay for the victory."

Given will not return to the north east until later in the week, during which time he will be assessed further.

However, Newcastle officials believe he will not require further surgery.

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